| MESSAGE BOARD Thread 49 (no replies so far) |
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ORIGINAL MESSAGE NAME: Ian SadlerDATE: 02 June 2009 CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1951-1958 We have recently heard of the deaths of 4 teachers who were at the school in the 1950s. On a positive note I would like to report that another teacher of that era is very much alive. Richard Shewell was principal physics teacher and later head of science from 1949 to 1956. He was a contemporary and great friend of Eric Crofts. He also accompanied Eric and Ollie Alford on the first winter skiing trips. He was a brilliant teacher and always made the lessons interesting. He was also a skilled wood worker, glass blower and artist. His main hobby was music and with Eric he formed QE's first orchestra. He was a first class violinist who also played the viola, cello, clarinet and french horn (all well). Some of you may remember his Wednesday "lunchtime proms" - 15 mins of all sorts of music. His jazz clarinet playing earned him the name of "Hot lips Shewell" although his normal nick-name was "Humph" (after Humphry Davy). He gave me (and several others) our first lessons on the violin and started one or two others on his other instruments. I managed to track him down 4 years ago. Recently, on a trip South (from Edinburgh!), I paid him a second visit. Now 87, he stays in a care home near Skipton and has a degenerative spine problem which means he can no longer stand up straight. Not that he lets that stop him doing things - we walked to the local pub for lunch. 3 years ago he gave up playing the violin - as he could no longer make the sound he wanted, so he taught himself to play the flute! He had some wonderful stories about the school and does a superb take-off of EHJ! He never wore a gown (in spite of EHJ's insistence): he said it was unsafe in a laboratory! I came away having had a great 5-hour break in my journey. A really positive amazing man. If any one wishes to get in touch with him, please contact me. (NO REPLIES YET) | ||
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